Undercover Affection

Chapter 3

The next morning, Lisa stood in front of the *Midnight Gym* at exactly 5:45 AM, squinting at the sign with one eye open while the other eye protested at the ungodly hour.

“Midnight Gym at 6 AM? How does that even make sense?” she muttered to herself, adjusting her bag slung over her shoulder. “It’s like naming a bar ‘Water Only’—a total lie.”

She kicked a small pebble with her sneaker and sighed dramatically. Lisa wasn’t exactly a morning person, and the fact that Jennie had chosen such a ridiculously early time for their first session felt almost personal. Still, mission first. And besides, she needed this to work.

She stretched her arms overhead, cracking her neck to wake herself up, and glanced through the gym's glass doors. It was sleek, high-end, and completely empty—except for one figure moving gracefully through the space.

Jennie.

Lisa stifled a yawn as she watched Jennie work out. She was in black leggings and a matching sports bra, her hair tied back into a neat ponytail. The movements were sharp, controlled, and intense—Jennie was doing some kind of routine that looked equal parts deadly and fashionable, like some chic assassin ballet.

“Of course she’s a morning person,” Lisa grumbled to herself. “She probably wakes up at 4 AM, does yoga while reading the *Financial Times,* and then singlehandedly conquers the stock market before breakfast.”

Taking a deep breath, Lisa pushed open the door and strolled in with her usual swagger. “Morning, sunshine!” she called, her voice echoing slightly in the empty gym.

Jennie looked up from her workout, her expression unfazed. “You’re early.”

Lisa grinned. “Well, someone once told me it’s better to trip over a table at 6 AM than at 9 AM. Wait—maybe I just made that up.”

Jennie raised an eyebrow but said nothing, instead picking up a towel and wiping her brow. She seemed to regard Lisa for a moment before turning back to her routine, her movements so precise it was like watching a professional dancer.

Lisa followed her deeper into the gym, trying to keep things light. “So, this is where all the early risers come to suffer? I mean, work out.”

Jennie didn’t look up. “Something like that.”

Lisa threw her bag onto a bench and leaned against a machine. “Well, as your new personal trainer, my first official order of business is to declare that 6 AM is basically a crime against humanity.”

Jennie glanced over her shoulder, finally acknowledging her with a small smirk. “And yet, you’re here.”

“Yeah, well, I didn’t want to miss out on spending quality time with my favorite ice queen,” Lisa quipped, flashing a cheeky grin.

Jennie’s lips barely moved, but Lisa could swear she saw the faintest hint of amusement in her eyes. “Ice queen?”

“Hey, it’s a compliment,” Lisa shrugged. “You know, you’ve got that whole mysterious, unapproachable thing going on. You could put the Arctic to shame with how cool you are.”

Jennie let out a soft, almost inaudible sigh, shaking her head. “Is this how you talk to all your clients?”

Lisa’s eyes sparkled. “Only the ones I’m trying to impress. But don’t worry, it’s all professional. Mostly.”

Jennie finally paused her workout, turning fully to face Lisa. “You don’t seem very… conventional.”

“Conventional? Pshh.” Lisa waved her hand dismissively. “Conventional is boring. I’m here to shake things up—get you out of your comfort zone.”